New Irving station on East Main Road

The town's newest business is more than just a gas station, says owner George Giacobbi, it's the "food court of Portsmouth." And this is no idle claim: the station at 3302 East Main, which just opened yesterday, will eventually be home to a burger spot, a deli, and a drive-thru donut window — and that's not counting the Chinese restaurant on the pad out front.

When I stopped by today, George and his wife Christine were putting the finishing touches on the landscaping, but he took a few minutes to chat. "This is a family business," he said, noting that they were running the station with their two sons, Nicholas and Joseph. Getting the station built was a two-year process, said Giacobbi, working through all the reviews and permits. "The town has been great," he said.

In addition to the pumps out front, within 2-3 weeks, the building will be home to an Italian deli and a Boss Man Burger, followed a couple of weeks later by a HoneyDew Donut. The burger place won't be your typical fast food window, either, said Giacobbi. "It's fresh angus beef, cooked to order when you come in, with fries and shakes."

For anyone who's tried to grab a quick burger in Portsmouth, my guess is that this will be a welcome addition.

The Chinese restaurant, New China, which occupies the storefront where Pizza Hollywood used to be, is in the final stages of permitting, said Giacobbi, and should open in about a month.

Jason Simao, the director of operations, said it was Giacobbi's vision to add a range of food options to the station. "We want to provide great customer service, and a family atmosphere," said Simao. "We want someplace you'd want to bring your mom to."

The station has added about 25 jobs to the local economy, and received over 100 applicants for those positions.

Why not stop by and welcome this new business to Portsmouth.